Why Kurt Angle Never Signed With The UFC

 

PHOTO CREDIT: WWE

It’s no secret that many professional wrestlers have crossed over to MMA over the years. Some achieved monumental success, like WWE superstar and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. However, one name that has never transitioned is professional wrestling legend and former Olympic wrestler Kurt Angle. The question is, why Kurt Angle never signed with the UFC?

Regarding which professional wrestlers would’ve succeeded in MMA, Kurt Angle is among the names that get brought up. Even though Kurt Angle comes from the entertainment world of professional wrestling, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s an elite-tier athlete and a success story in amateur wrestling. Considering that amateur wrestlers often have an advantage in MMA, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Kurt Angle became MMA champion.

Kurt Angle’s First UFC Offer In 1996

According to Kurt Angle, the UFC offered him a deal before he became a household name during its early years. In an interview with True Geordie, Kurt Angle claimed the UFC offered him a ten-fight contract for $150,000 in 1996 when he first won his Olympic gold medal. It was before Kurt Angle’s professional wrestling career even began.

UFC Offers Kurt Angle To Be On The Ultimate Fighter

Fast forward to 2006, when Kurt Angle left WWE, he became more open to outside ventures. The UFC offered him a role to join The Ultimate Fighter season alongside the late Kimbo Slice. A deal Kurt Angle claimed to be worth $500k. In an interview with ESPN, Kurt Angle also claimed that the UFC offered him a six-fight deal.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that the company did offer Kurt Angle a role on The Ultimate Fighter. However, he hasn’t confirmed whether or not he got offered an additional deal to fight for the UFC.

Why Did Kurt Angle Refuse To Sign With The UFC?

Although Kurt Angle has long wanted to compete in MMA, he refused UFC’s offer. This was because for Kurt Angle to compete for the UFC, Kurt Angle had to leave professional wrestling altogether. As Kurt Angle never signed with the UFC, he continued his professional wrestling career until retiring in 2019.

Much like Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle’s name value from professional wrestling could’ve been massive business for the UFC if he were to sign a deal. One could imagine a potential match-up between him and Brock Lesnar on a UFC stage, as both were on-screen rivals in WWE. Because of this, the idea of Kurt Angle competing in MMA is one of the biggest “what-ifs” that gets talked about by MMA and wrestling fans alike.